Container for socket-wrench sets



Sept. 3, 1929. H. G. RICE CONTAINER FOR SOCKET WRENCH SETS Filed July 29, 1926 Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES HAROLD G. RICE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CONTAINER FOR SOCKET-WRENCH SETS.

Application filed July 29,

This invention relates to a container or box for socket wrench sets and the like adapted to contain and house a series of wrench sockets of varying sizes or gauges and a handle adaptable for use with the sockets, and more particularly to a novel fastener or latch for securely holding thecover of the container in closed position,

thereby preventing the container from accidently opening and spilling the contents.

With the above and other objects in view, the novel features of the invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a plan View, partly broken away and in section, of a box or container constructed in accordance with my invention and having the novel cover fastener or latch applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the staggered section line 22 of Figurel, and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the container in open posi tion and more clearly illustrating the fastener.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the container comprises the bottom section or container proper 4 which may be produced from sheet metal with the corners cut out and the edges turned up at right angles to provide the sides 5 and the ends 6 and 7. The box is preferably shaped so that the end 6 is narrower than the end 7 and enlarges toward the front end 7, the shape being substantially trapeziform in plan.

The cover of the container is indicated at 8 and also is preferably made from sheet metal to correspond to the shape of the bottom or container proper with sides 9 of uniform width as are the sides 5 and the ends 6 and 7, although this is not essential. The cover is pivoted to the bottom by pivots 10 in the form of rivets or the like engaged through the sides 5 and 9 preferably near the bottom and narrow end 6, the corners of the sides 9 preferably being rounded as shown and the ends of the cover being open so as to produce a substantially inverted channel or U-shaped member.

The wrench sockets within the container are indicated at 11 and the handle is indicated at 12, this handle being adapted to fit along side of the sockets within the container and having one end bent at right 1926. Serial No. 125,603.

angles to extend crosswise. curely hold the cover in closed position to prevent displacement of the contents due to accidental opening or otherwise, a fastener or latch 13 is provided. This consists of a strip of metal having its ends 1 1 bent at right angles in the same direction and preferably tapered as shown and pivoted to the sides 9 by rivets or the like 15 so as to perniit the fastener to swing over the end of the cover against the edges of the sides 9 or closely adjacent thereto in the manner of an end wall or to swing above the cover as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and Figure 3 respectively.

The fastener 13 has a spring tongue 16 extending from the central portion of the lower or forward edge thereof, this tongue being somewhat resilient owing to the material of the fastener being thinner than the container proper, although not essentially so. The free end of the tongue 16 may be curved outwardly and upwardly as indicated at 17 to facilitate its engagement with the top edge 18 of an opening 19 provided in the front end 7 of the container proper or bottom portion 4 when the fastener is swung down into operative position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to securely hold the cover closed. In order to facilitate opening of the fastener, the bottom edges thereof at each side of the tongue 16 are turned upwardly as indicated at 20 to provide finger holds by which the fastener may be raised on its pivots to disengage the spring tongue from the keeper opening 19. The opposite sides 5 of the container 4 are preferably notched out at the upper edges as indicated at 21 to accommodate the inner ends of the pivots 15 and the sides 9 of the cover may be recessed, as indicated at 22, to facilitate raising of the cover.

A container constructed as described will accommodate the sockets and handle and when the fastener is in operative position, the accidental opening of the container, due to jarring or otherwise, will be prevented. This overcomes objections to these containers as previously constructed and, in addition, provides a more efficient and attractive article for the purpose.

V hile I have shown and described my invention in a preferred form, I am aware that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the prin- In order to seciples of the invention, the scopeof which may be determined by reference to the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A container for a socket wrench set, comprising interfitting top and bottom portions hinged together at their ends, the top or closure portion having an open end, a

member swingably connected to the top portion and forming a combination closure for the open end and a latch for holding the top portion closed with respect to the bottom, said end closure and latch being swingable to open position above the top portion and to closed position across the open end thereof, and when in closed position constituting a shackle for holding the top in closed position on the bottom, and a spring catch on the swinging end for holding the end in closed position.

2. A container for a socket wrench set, comprising elongated interfitting top and bottom portions hinged together at their ends, the top of closure portion having an open end, a U-shaped member having itsarms swingably connected to the top portion and the cross-piece serving as a combination closure for the open end and a latch for holding the top portion closed with respect to the bottom, said end closure and latch being swingable on its pivot to open position abovethe top and to closed position across the open end thereof, and when in closed position constituting a shackle for holding the top in closed position on the bottom, and a spring catch on the swinging end for holding the end in closed position.

3. A container for a socket Wrench set, comprising interfitting top and bottom portions hinged together at one of their ends, the top or closure portion having an open end, and a member pivotally connected to the top portion and forming a combination closure for the open end and a latch for holding the top portion closed with respect to the bottom, said end closure and latch being movable to open position above the top portion and to closed and latching position across the open end thereof when the top portion is closed down on the bottom portion.

4. A container for a socket wrench set, comprising a bottom portion having sides and ends and designed to receive the socket wrench set, a top or closure portion having sides and an open end and swingably attached adjacent its other end to the bottom portion, a member forming a combination closure for the open end of the top port-ion and a latch for holding the top portion closed with respect to the bottom portion, and having end extensions bent at right angles to the body of the member in the same direction and pivotally attached to the sides of the top portion, said end closure member being swingable to an open position above and upon the top portion and to a closed position across the open end thereof, said swinging end when in closed position constituting a shackle for engaging the end portion of the bottom for holding the top in closed position on the bottom.

5. A container for a socket wrench set, comprising a bottom port-ion having sides and ends and designed to receive the socket wrench set, a top or closure portion having sides and an open end and swingably attached adjacent its other end to the bottom portion, a member forming a combination closure forv the open end of the top portion and a latch for holding the top portion closed with respect to the bottom, and having end extensions bent at right angles to the body of the member in the same direction and pivot-ally attached to the sides of the top portion, said end closure being swingable to an open position above and upon the top portion and to a closed position across the open end thereof, portions of the end being bent out to provide linger grips for swinging it to an open position, said swinging end when in closed position constituting a shackle for engaging the end port-ion of the bottom for holding the top in closed position on the bottom, and a catch on the swinging end for holding the end in closed position.

6. A container for a socket wrench set, comprising an enlongated bottom portion having sides and ends and designed to receive the socket wrench set, a top or closure portion having sides and an open end and designated to fit down on the bottom portion andswingably attached thereto at its other end, a member forming a combination closure for the open end of the top portion and a latch for holding the top portion closed with respect to the bottom portion, and having relatively parallel end extensions bent at right angles to the body of the member in the same direction and pivotally attached to the sides of the" top portion, said end closure member being swingable to an open position above and upon the top portion and to a closed position across the open end thereof, portions of said swinging end to either side of its center being bent out to provide linger grips for swinging it to an open position, said swinging end when in closed position constituting a shackle for engaging the end nortion of the bottom for holding the top in closed position on the bottom,

HAROLD G. RICE. 

